CHARGERS: The team's 53-man roster, and who got cut

SAN DIEGO ---- The Chargers roster has been trimmed. It has not been set in stone.

The team got down to the NFL mandated 53-man maximum on Friday evening, but the roster they announced on Friday won't be what they play with on Sept. 10 against the Oakland Raiders.

The Chargers are hunting for veteran help at cornerback and offensive tackle, two areas of need on the roster as its currently constructed.

"The biggest thing is putting together a roster that can give us the opportunity to play at the highest possible level on opening day," Chargers coach Norv Turner said. "I'm sure that, over the next couple of weeks, we will look at players and there will be possible additions or changes to the roster."

Turner said the Chargers will add an offensive tackle if they can find a good fit. He intimated that the quartet of cornerbacks on the roster ---- three of which have been hampered by hamstring injuries ---- might be able to perform on opening day, but did not eliminate the possibility of getting veteran help.

"We feel good with where we're at," Turner said, "and starting the season with these guys."

There are veteran corners recently cut, although Drayton Florence, let go by the Broncos, does not sit atop their priority list.

"Our (personnel people) are looking at all the guys who have been released," Turner said. "There are going to be good players that have been let go by other teams. The hardest thing is that they've got to fit, because we have to go play a game real shortly."

One certain change will come Sept. 4, when the Chargers can place receiver Vincent Brown on injured reserve and designate him to return. According to an NFL rule adopted Thursday, Brown can play at midseason without costing the team a roster spot. Turner said it was probable they would make such a move when possible.

Cesaire fell victim to a numbers game an a youth movement along the defensive front, which ended his tenure with the team he's played with since 2003.

Hester was the starting fullback for most of his four years here, since general manager traded into the third round to select him in the 2007 draft. He was also the 2011 special teams captain.

Both players were popular and difficult cuts to make.

"There all tough, but there were a couple of really tough ones," Turner said. "You feel like Jake was a part of the family. He's such a good person and an outstanding player, but it's more about where we are with our team right now. Putting the roster together for opening day, it was something we needed to do."

There's balance on the roster, with 25 players each on offense and defense, with three specialists.

The Chargers kept five safeties and four tight ends, players also well suited to the kicking game. The team also has 10 linebackers split between inside and outside. There's balance on the roster, with 25 players each on offense and defense, with three specialists.

The Chargers kept four running backs in addition to Ryan Mathews, who remains out with a collar bone.

But these numbers will be in slight flux over the next few weeks as the team tries to find the right fit for the long haul.

"You could say that about a lot of teams," Turner said. "We'll just see what happens. ... We have great depth in some areas, and that's by design. But there are other areas where we need depth."